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Emmaus in Bloom Virtual Spring Festival
Like most New Years celebrations, companies, individuals, organizations, etc. kick off operations after a comfortable holiday break with new hope and vivacity. We, they, you, me, etc are all driven by new goals and resolutions, refreshed after rest and quality time with family, committed to seeing the next 365 days produce more than ever before. The Emmaus Main Street Partners were no different. The 501©3 non-profit, partner of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber, was looking forward to the second half of the fiscal year, with some new events and some returning favorites scheduled for each month, in addition to a second year of Small Business Roundtables hosted the third Thursday of each month gaining traction with each passing session. The momentum was strong, businesses were flourishing, organizations were joining the Chamber, professionals were connecting and building relations.
Then like everyone else, we were blindsided by COVID-19 and the accompanying mandates. While many events from organizations across the Lehigh Valley were cancelled or postponed, EMSP’s events fell to a similar fate. As time progressed and we saw this societal condition continuing, EMSP adjusted to virtual meetings. The Chamber is hosting various networking opportunities, webinars, and happy hours virtually but how does an organization like The Chamber, who thrives on connecting people, continue?
Emmaus Main Street Partners is proud to announce the first VIRTUAL FESTIVAL in the Lehigh Valley since COVID-19 wreaked havoc.
What does a virtual event entail? How does a virtual event work?
Emmaus Main Street Partners is looking to bring the community together this Spring through a small community gathering. On Saturday May 16, 2020 EMSP is organizing various live streams on Facebook to connect different businesses and organizations with our local community! Activities will all be live streamed through Emmaus Main Street Partners Facebook page every 30 minutes, starting at 10am and ending at 2pm. See the schedule of events below and/or visit this event webpage to see updates as details are confirmed.
10a.m. – 10:30a.m. Yoga with Erica of Livingroom Yoga
10:30am – 11a.m. TBD
11a.m. – 11:30a.m. Storytime with Let’s Play Books Bookstore
11:30a.m. – 12p.m. Cooking Demo with Cindie of 29 Cooks
12p.m. – 12:30p.m. Drawing with Lauren of Ren & Ink
12:30p.m. – 1p.m. TBD
1p.m. – 1:30p.m. TBD
1:30p.m. – 2p.m. TBD
In addition to the limited amount of businesses we can feature through live videos, we are inviting local businesses to “plant” a flower somewhere on their website from May 16 through May 22. By Friday May 15, EMSP will generate a digital passport graphic listing all participating business websites and then publicize the passport on social media, our only form of communication with the outside world right now! Community members will go from website to website taking screenshots of or noting where the flower locations are to collect their virtual bouquet. Once they “collect” all flowers, they will send the images or notes to the Chamber and be entered into a raffle to win $25 gift cards. More than one winner will be picked! This is free for all businesses and organizations to participate as well as community members who want to pick their digital community bouquet.
Businesses and organizations can let us know if they’d like to participate AND send us a JPEG or PNG of the flower you plan to “plant” on your site by 12pm Friday May 15, 2020. Contact us at AshleyL@LehighValleyChamber.org or (610) 739-1273
Assistant Vice President of Affiliated Chambers and Emmaus Main Street Manager Ashley Lorah shares “Our committee was thrilled to shift the way things were initially planned to come to life rather than cancel the event altogether. Now more than ever people want and need something to get excited about and look forward to and we want to provide that light for them! We strive to be community partners and connect local businesses and organizations with the surrounding community to serve as connectors.”
Sponsorship opportunities are available for local organizations who want to help and are financially able to at this time.
When: Saturday May 16, 2020
Virtual activities from 10am-2pm
Virtual Flower Trail from Saturday May 16 through Friday May 22, 2020
Where: Emmaus Main Street Partners Facebook page for virtual activities – https://www.facebook.com/events/200910358031144/
Emmaus in Bloom webpage for digital Flower Trail Passport – https://web.lehighvalleychamber.org/events/Emmausin%20Bloom-837697/details
Pricing Information: FREE FREE FREE
Sponsors: Emmaus Main Street Partners and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.
About the Chamber: The mission of The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce is to improve the economy and quality of life in the Lehigh Valley Metropolitan Area. We accomplish this through business-to-business networking events and marketing products, affinity programs and exclusive, money saving member benefits, training programs, government affairs initiatives and public policy advocacy, and community development enterprises. With nearly 5,000 members who employ more than 200,000, the Chamber is the largest in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and in the top ten nationwide.
Information provided to TVL by:
Ashley Lorah
Emmaus Main Street Manager & Manager, Affiliated Chambers (East Penn, Western Lehigh & Southern Lehigh)
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
https://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/
